John Balkcum, Lemuel Balkcum; John Balkcum (b c1818), Harman Balkcum (b c1822), Lemuel Balkcum (b c1821) are named as grandchildren in the 1843 will of Hester Balkcum. Lemuel and Harman appear in the same clause of the will and are provided identical small amounts (one common Bible each, or money sufficient to purchase the same). Their appearance together may have been because of closeness of age or some other association but they were unlikely to have been brothers. The will also names another grandson, John Balkcum, with the same provision of one common bible.

Harman is proven as a son of Hester's daughter Nancy, per Nancy's 1853 will which names son Harman but does not mention Lemuel. I call Lemuel the son of unknown parents, one of whom was a child of Hester. I call John the son of a different unknown parent (another child of Hester) and not a brother of Lemuel or Harman because he appears in a separate clause of Hester's will. It's conceivable that Lemuel was a son of William Balkcom who appears as head of a household in the 1820 Sampson County census. However, John (born 1816) is likely not a son of William since in William's 1820 household there were no young males.

Hester (?); Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; Hester Balkcum will dated March 1843, proved May 1843. It names as beneficiaries "my daughter Nancy Balkcum" to receive 30 acres of land on the south side of Beaver Dam Swamp to include the house in which she now lives, "grandson James Lucien Balkcum (son of my daughter Mariah)" to receive the remainder of the land, about 100 acres. It provides miscellaneous household goods to "granddaughter Mary Ellen Johnson, daughter of my daughter Mariah", and token items (a bible each) to grandsons John Balkcum, Harman Balkcum, and Lemuel Balkcum. The executor was "my friend" William L. Robinson; Witnesses were Isaiah S. Robinson and Abner Robinson.8,2,3

(Witness) Land

31 July 1843

John Balkcum; Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; (see attached deed)John Balkcum in a Deed to W. L. Robinson, conveyed 84 acres for the sum of $1, identified as part of the land where Bryant Lee now resides. This unusual deed referred to indebtedness of Balkcum to Robinson and made the transfer of land title conditional on repayment of the several specified debts. Witnessed by W. R. Ward and Harman Balkcum.

(Heir) Will

20 August 1853

Nancy Balkcum; Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; (see attached exhibit) Nancy Balkcum dated a will on this date. It names:"my daughter Margaret Balkcum" - bed & furniture ("the bed on which I have usually lain"), wheel & cards, 1 table,sow and pigs, $20, "for her services in waiting on me in my last sickness";"my two daughters Eliza and Mary" - 1 bed & furniture; "my son Harman be paid back all expenses that he may incur in providing for me"Remaining property to be sold to pay debts and funeral expenses, remainder equally divided among children. Exec William L. Robinson, wit Nathan Johnson, Joshua Rackley.9,2

(Head of Household) John Balkcum, (Resident) Molcy Lee; Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "John Balkcom" head, age 32, farmer, real estate valued at $500, born NC. In the household were:"Malcy", female age 30, born NC;"Ann", age 10, born NC;"Mary", age 6, born NC;"James", age 5, born NC;"Chs", age 2, born NC.

Hester (?); Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; (see attached deed, poor condition but partly readable)Hester Balkcum sold 130 acres to "Nancy Balkcum her daughter and James Lucien Balkcum her grandson ... in consideration of the love and affection which she holds towards her said daughter Nancy and her [Hester's] grandson James Lucien ... in the ... consideration to her of the sum of one dollar... tract of land lying on the south side of Beaverdam Swamp and joining the lands of Nathan Johnson, heirs of Mathew Prigeon ... ?? Rogers old corner ... along Rogers' old line to the Beaverdam Swamp then along said swamp to the mouth of horse branch then ... to Little Branch ... for Nancy Balkcum to use during her life and on her death [to] James Lucien Balkcum ... Hester Balkcum to have the privilege of living on during her natural life ..."Witnessed by Ruggels? Johnson and Richard? P. Johnson7

Hester (?); Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; Hester Balkcum will dated March 1843, proved May 1843. It names as beneficiaries "my daughter Nancy Balkcum" to receive 30 acres of land on the south side of Beaver Dam Swamp to include the house in which she now lives, "grandson James Lucien Balkcum (son of my daughter Mariah)" to receive the remainder of the land, about 100 acres. It provides miscellaneous household goods to "granddaughter Mary Ellen Johnson, daughter of my daughter Mariah", and token items (a bible each) to grandsons John Balkcum, Harman Balkcum, and Lemuel Balkcum. The executor was "my friend" William L. Robinson; Witnesses were Isaiah S. Robinson and Abner Robinson.8,9,10

Name Variation

Johnson; "James Johnson" per 1850 census, but he was likely born before his mother married so the Johnson name is probably a convenience11

James Lucien Balkcom identified himself as a farmer, age 21 at enlistment, and Josiah Johnson identified himself as age 19. Josiah would in fact have been age 17 or 18 at this time. In the 1860 census he was a 16 year old living with his parents, working as a farm laborer.

Their cousin William James Balkcom, son of Lemuel and Jemima Balkcom, enlisted in the same unit in November, 1862.

The Rootsweb reference describes the Regiment: "The 20th participated in various campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from the Seven Days' Battles (93 killed, 281 wounded, 6 mia) to Cold Harbor and later took part in the Appomattox operations. Other casualty reports include: 30 wounded in the Maryland Campaign, 3 wounded at Fredericksburg, 77 casualties at Chancellorsville and of the 372 engaged at Gettysburg, more than 65% were disabled. The unit surrendered with 4 officers and 71 men of which only 9 were armed."

James Lucien was captured June 15, 1863 at Stephenson's Depot, Virginia, (see historical marker, image attached). Cousin William James was wounded in the left arm at Gettysburg July 1-4, and captured. Josiah Johnson has not been located in Sampson or Duplin County after the war.13,14,15,16

[S109] National Archives, Confederate POWs - Soldiers and Sailors Who Died in Federal Prisons and Military Hospitals in the North , 1984), Page 59. Hereinafter cited as Confederate POWs - Soldiers and Sailors Who Died in Federal Prisons.

Lemuel Balkcum; John Balkcum (b c1818), Harman Balkcum (b c1822), Lemuel Balkcum (b c1821) are named as grandchildren in the 1843 will of Hester Balkcum. Lemuel and Harman appear in the same clause of the will and are provided identical small amounts (one common Bible each, or money sufficient to purchase the same). Their appearance together may have been because of closeness of age or some other association but they were unlikely to have been brothers. The will also names another grandson, John Balkcum, with the same provision of one common bible.

Harman is proven as a son of Hester's daughter Nancy, per Nancy's 1853 will which names son Harman but does not mention Lemuel. I call Lemuel the son of unknown parents, one of whom was a child of Hester. I call John the son of a different unknown parent (another child of Hester) and not a brother of Lemuel or Harman because he appears in a separate clause of Hester's will. It's conceivable that Lemuel was a son of William Balkcom who appears as head of a household in the 1820 Sampson County census. However, John (born 1816) is likely not a son of William since in William's 1820 household there were no young males. Witness: Hester (?)Witness: Harman Balkcum

Molcy Lee; estimated date from age of oldest child (census). Malsey as wife from census and various death certificates, and cited researcher.5,6

Land*

13 April 1839

Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; (see attached deed)John Balkcum sold land to Hester Balkcum for $1070. Hester within two years gave this land to her daughter Nancy Balkcum and grandson James Lucien Balkcum, a toddler, who was son of William L Robinson and Hester's daughter Mariah. It's not clear if this is the land Hester originally received on the death of her husband John Balkcom in 1803, and if so how grandson John Balkcum came into possession. "... land lying near the waters of the Beaverdam Creek adjoining the land of Nathan Johnson's and Samuel? Johnson Jr ... tract ... beginning at ?? Rogers' old corner ... Scot's Branch ... along Rogers' old line to the Beaverdam Swamp thence up said swamp to the Horse Branch then up along a marked line to a little branch then across said branch to Matthew Pridgeon's line thence said line to the beginning containing 130 acres ..."Witnesses Wm L. Robinson and John Bryan.7Buyer: Hester BalkcomWitness: William L. RobinsonWitness: John Bryan

Cen-Head*

1840

Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "John Balkcom", age 20-30, with female age 30-40 (wife Malsey), living adjacent to Nancy Balkcom (likely aunt) and H Balkcom, prob Harmon. Many slaves are included in the John Balkcom household, including males: 2 u10, 2 10-24, 1 24-35, 1 35-55; females 2 u10, 1-24-35, 1 35-55, 1 55-100. Six people were identified as employed in agriculture.

Hester (?); John Balkcum was named in Hester Balkcum's will as her grandson

(Heir) Will

9 March 1843

Hester (?); Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; Hester Balkcum will dated March 1843, proved May 1843. It names as beneficiaries "my daughter Nancy Balkcum" to receive 30 acres of land on the south side of Beaver Dam Swamp to include the house in which she now lives, "grandson James Lucien Balkcum (son of my daughter Mariah)" to receive the remainder of the land, about 100 acres. It provides miscellaneous household goods to "granddaughter Mary Ellen Johnson, daughter of my daughter Mariah", and token items (a bible each) to grandsons John Balkcum, Harman Balkcum, and Lemuel Balkcum. The executor was "my friend" William L. Robinson; Witnesses were Isaiah S. Robinson and Abner Robinson.8,9,10

Land

31 July 1843

Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; (see attached deed)John Balkcum in a Deed to W. L. Robinson, conveyed 84 acres for the sum of $1, identified as part of the land where Bryant Lee now resides. This unusual deed referred to indebtedness of Balkcum to Robinson and made the transfer of land title conditional on repayment of the several specified debts. Witnessed by W. R. Ward and Harman Balkcum. Witness: Harman Balkcum

(Head of Household) Census*

16 August 1850

(Resident) Molcy Lee; Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "John Balkcom" head, age 32, farmer, real estate valued at $500, born NC. In the household were:"Malcy", female age 30, born NC;"Ann", age 10, born NC;"Mary", age 6, born NC;"James", age 5, born NC;"Chs", age 2, born NC.

[S342] Ancestry.com. North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT , North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, Sampson County, John Albert Balkcum. Hereinafter cited as North Carolina State Board of Health Death Certificates.

Family 2

Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; the death certificate for John Albert Balkcum shows him born in 1848, but he was not listed in the household of his parents in the 1850 census. He was listed in theri household in the 1860 census, as age 12.1,2

Five households away was "Lucien Balcum" age 21, a farm laborer in the household of Reuben Moore. Lucien was probably John's cousin James Lucien Balkcom. William L. Robinson age 52 and large family were two households from Lucien Balcum.3

(Resident) Census

26 July 1870

John Balkcum; Lisbon Township, Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "John Balkum" head, age 55, farmer, assets $700 real estate, $257 personal, born NC,"Molcy Balkum" female age 54, keeping house, born NC,"Susan Balkum", age 24, keeping house, born NC,"John Balkum", age 22, works on farm, born NC,"William Balkum", age 19, works on farm, born NC,"Molcy Balkum", female age 15, keeping house, born NC,"Kizzie Balkum", female age 13, keeping house, born NC.4

Citations

[S342] Ancestry.com. North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT , North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, Sampson County, John Albert Balkcum. Hereinafter cited as North Carolina State Board of Health Death Certificates.

Five households away was "Lucien Balcum" age 21, a farm laborer in the household of Reuben Moore. Lucien was probably John's cousin James Lucien Balkcom. William L. Robinson age 52 and large family were two households from Lucien Balcum.5

(Resident) Census

26 July 1870

John Balkcum; Lisbon Township, Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "John Balkum" head, age 55, farmer, assets $700 real estate, $257 personal, born NC,"Molcy Balkum" female age 54, keeping house, born NC,"Susan Balkum", age 24, keeping house, born NC,"John Balkum", age 22, works on farm, born NC,"William Balkum", age 19, works on farm, born NC,"Molcy Balkum", female age 15, keeping house, born NC,"Kizzie Balkum", female age 13, keeping house, born NC.6

John Balkcum; John Balkcum (b c1818), Harman Balkcum (b c1822), Lemuel Balkcum (b c1821) are named as grandchildren in the 1843 will of Hester Balkcum. Lemuel and Harman appear in the same clause of the will and are provided identical small amounts (one common Bible each, or money sufficient to purchase the same). Their appearance together may have been because of closeness of age or some other association but they were unlikely to have been brothers. The will also names another grandson, John Balkcum, with the same provision of one common bible.

Harman is proven as a son of Hester's daughter Nancy, per Nancy's 1853 will which names son Harman but does not mention Lemuel. I call Lemuel the son of unknown parents, one of whom was a child of Hester. I call John the son of a different unknown parent (another child of Hester) and not a brother of Lemuel or Harman because he appears in a separate clause of Hester's will. It's conceivable that Lemuel was a son of William Balkcom who appears as head of a household in the 1820 Sampson County census. However, John (born 1816) is likely not a son of William since in William's 1820 household there were no young males. Witness: Hester (?)Witness: Harman Balkcum

Hester (?); Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; Hester Balkcum will dated March 1843, proved May 1843. It names as beneficiaries "my daughter Nancy Balkcum" to receive 30 acres of land on the south side of Beaver Dam Swamp to include the house in which she now lives, "grandson James Lucien Balkcum (son of my daughter Mariah)" to receive the remainder of the land, about 100 acres. It provides miscellaneous household goods to "granddaughter Mary Ellen Johnson, daughter of my daughter Mariah", and token items (a bible each) to grandsons John Balkcum, Harman Balkcum, and Lemuel Balkcum. The executor was "my friend" William L. Robinson; Witnesses were Isaiah S. Robinson and Abner Robinson.8,2,5

Comment*

Jemima Rackley; I assign Timothy, Julius, and John T. Balkcom as sons of Lemuel and Jemima. Although they are in the household in the 1860 census and were born before 1850, they were not in the household in the 1850 census.

Census*

12 August 1850

US 1850 Census; Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "Lemuel Balkcom" head, male age 29, laborer, born NC, $500 real estate owned, not read/writing. In the household:"Jemiah", female age 27, born NC;"James", age 8, born NC;"Elanda", female age 5, born NC;"Tina", female age 4, born NC (not found in later census);"Elizabeth", female age 21, born NC. I take this to be Eliza Balkcum, probable 1st cousin or possibly sister of Lemuel.

[S435] Civil War Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers and Sailors, copy of application held by Jerry Balkcom, online at www.fold3.com, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC, USA.

[S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Census U.S. of 1850, Sampson County, NC, Ancestry.com image 11 of 83, Ancestry.com.

US 1840 Census; likely one of the females age 5-10 in Nancy Balkcom's household

(Heir) Will

20 August 1853

Nancy Balkcum; Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; (see attached exhibit) Nancy Balkcum dated a will on this date. It names:"my daughter Margaret Balkcum" - bed & furniture ("the bed on which I have usually lain"), wheel & cards, 1 table,sow and pigs, $20, "for her services in waiting on me in my last sickness";"my two daughters Eliza and Mary" - 1 bed & furniture; "my son Harman be paid back all expenses that he may incur in providing for me"Remaining property to be sold to pay debts and funeral expenses, remainder equally divided among children. Exec William L. Robinson, wit Nathan Johnson, Joshua Rackley.2,3

Married Name

circa 1855

Henderson

Marriage*

circa 1855

Lewis Henderson; date estimated based on their children's ages in 1860, and Margaret not named as a Henderson in her mother Nancy's 1853 will.

All in family were identified as mulatto.Nearby lived Margaret's sister Eliza Balkcum Aldridge and family. Adjacent was a James Mashburn age 24 (relative of Wiley Balkcom's wife who was a Mashburn?) and other white farmers with real estate and personal assets so Lewis may have been working on one of their farms.4

(Neighbor) Lewis Henderson; Wayne County, North Carolina, USA; "Lewis Henderson" age 46, farmer, not reading/writing."Margaret" wife age 44, not reading/writing;"Caswell" son age 15;"Mary" daughter age 12;"Sarah" daughter age 8;"Loudie" daughter age 6.

Nancy Balkcum; Nancy Balkcum and Mariah Balkcum were daughters of Hester Balkcum according to Hester's will. Their father(s) are unknown. They were not children of John Balkcom who Hester married in around 1799 and who died in 1803. Hester did give Nancy and Mariah the Balkcum surname. In fact Nancy gave her children the Balkcum surname as well and apparently never married. At least two of Nancy's children, Eliza b1829 and Margaret were of mixed race based on identification as mulatto in the federal census. A photo of Eliza held by descendant Lisa Y. Henderson seems to confirm this.

Birth*

circa 1814

Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; birth date estimated from later census records. Mariah was listed as age 36 in the 1850 census, (erroneous) age 35 in 1860, and age 54 in the 1870 census.3

Hester (?); Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; Hester Balkcum will dated March 1843, proved May 1843. It names as beneficiaries "my daughter Nancy Balkcum" to receive 30 acres of land on the south side of Beaver Dam Swamp to include the house in which she now lives, "grandson James Lucien Balkcum (son of my daughter Mariah)" to receive the remainder of the land, about 100 acres. It provides miscellaneous household goods to "granddaughter Mary Ellen Johnson, daughter of my daughter Mariah", and token items (a bible each) to grandsons John Balkcum, Harman Balkcum, and Lemuel Balkcum. The executor was "my friend" William L. Robinson; Witnesses were Isaiah S. Robinson and Abner Robinson.1,5,6

"Hiram Blackburn", farmer age 56, wife Barbary, and 6 children between age 10 and 24. William H. Blackburn was the oldest child at age 24, working in farm. Isabella was age 21.8Resident: William H. BlackburnResident: Isabella C. Johnson

Nancy Balkcum; Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; (see attached exhibit) Nancy Balkcum dated a will on this date. It names:"my daughter Margaret Balkcum" - bed & furniture ("the bed on which I have usually lain"), wheel & cards, 1 table,sow and pigs, $20, "for her services in waiting on me in my last sickness";"my two daughters Eliza and Mary" - 1 bed & furniture; "my son Harman be paid back all expenses that he may incur in providing for me"Remaining property to be sold to pay debts and funeral expenses, remainder equally divided among children. Exec William L. Robinson, wit Nathan Johnson, Joshua Rackley.3,4

Lemuel Balkcum, US 1850 Census; Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "Lemuel Balkcom" head, male age 29, laborer, born NC, $500 real estate owned, not read/writing. In the household:"Jemiah", female age 27, born NC;"James", age 8, born NC;"Elanda", female age 5, born NC;"Tina", female age 4, born NC (not found in later census);"Elizabeth", female age 21, born NC. I take this to be Eliza Balkcum, probable 1st cousin or possibly sister of Lemuel.

The adjacent household was Adam Sellers, Jr. and Jemima Sellers, both age 50, unknown relationship if any to "Jemiah". Also Abram Sellers age 70, Daniel Bowen age 37 and family, Needham Merritt, Jonathon Parker, several other Merritts (land sale w/John Balkcum)11

Nancy Balkcum; Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; (see attached exhibit) Nancy Balkcum dated a will on this date. It names:"my daughter Margaret Balkcum" - bed & furniture ("the bed on which I have usually lain"), wheel & cards, 1 table,sow and pigs, $20, "for her services in waiting on me in my last sickness";"my two daughters Eliza and Mary" - 1 bed & furniture; "my son Harman be paid back all expenses that he may incur in providing for me"Remaining property to be sold to pay debts and funeral expenses, remainder equally divided among children. Exec William L. Robinson, wit Nathan Johnson, Joshua Rackley.14,4

Robert Aldridge; Brogden, Wayne County, North Carolina, USA; "Robert Aldridge" age 52, farmer, owned the property;"Eliza Aldridge", age 39, keeping house, born NC;"George Aldridge" age 18;"John Aldridge" age 17;"Ameliah Aldridge" age 14;"Mathew L. Aldridge" age 13;"David S. Aldridge" age 12;"Amanda Aldridge" age 10;"Ella Aldridge" age 8;"Eliza Aldridge" age 6;"Robert Aldridge" age 4;"Joseph Aldridge" age 7 months, born last Dec;"Gregory Isham" age 12, born NC, working on farm.

[S269] Wills, Sampson County North Carolina, Nancy Balkcum, 20 August 1853, North Carolina State Archives.

[S342] Ancestry.com. North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT , North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, 29 January 1924. Hereinafter cited as North Carolina State Board of Health Death Certificates.

(Head of Household) John Balkcum, (Resident) Molcy Lee; Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "John Balkcom" head, age 32, farmer, real estate valued at $500, born NC. In the household were:"Malcy", female age 30, born NC;"Ann", age 10, born NC;"Mary", age 6, born NC;"James", age 5, born NC;"Chs", age 2, born NC.

Five households away was "Lucien Balcum" age 21, a farm laborer in the household of Reuben Moore. Lucien was probably John's cousin James Lucien Balkcom. William L. Robinson age 52 and large family were two households from Lucien Balcum.3

(Resident) Census

26 July 1870

John Balkcum; Lisbon Township, Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "John Balkum" head, age 55, farmer, assets $700 real estate, $257 personal, born NC,"Molcy Balkum" female age 54, keeping house, born NC,"Susan Balkum", age 24, keeping house, born NC,"John Balkum", age 22, works on farm, born NC,"William Balkum", age 19, works on farm, born NC,"Molcy Balkum", female age 15, keeping house, born NC,"Kizzie Balkum", female age 13, keeping house, born NC.4

Five households away was "Lucien Balcum" age 21, a farm laborer in the household of Reuben Moore. Lucien was probably John's cousin James Lucien Balkcom. William L. Robinson age 52 and large family were two households from Lucien Balcum.3

(Resident) Census

26 July 1870

John Balkcum; Lisbon Township, Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "John Balkum" head, age 55, farmer, assets $700 real estate, $257 personal, born NC,"Molcy Balkum" female age 54, keeping house, born NC,"Susan Balkum", age 24, keeping house, born NC,"John Balkum", age 22, works on farm, born NC,"William Balkum", age 19, works on farm, born NC,"Molcy Balkum", female age 15, keeping house, born NC,"Kizzie Balkum", female age 13, keeping house, born NC.4

Mariah Balkcum; Nancy Balkcum and Mariah Balkcum were daughters of Hester Balkcum according to Hester's will. Their father(s) are unknown. They were not children of John Balkcom who Hester married in around 1799 and who died in 1803. Hester did give Nancy and Mariah the Balkcum surname. In fact Nancy gave her children the Balkcum surname as well and apparently never married. At least two of Nancy's children, Eliza b1829 and Margaret were of mixed race based on identification as mulatto in the federal census. A photo of Eliza held by descendant Lisa Y. Henderson seems to confirm this.

Birth*

say 1794

North Carolina, USA; There are inconsistencies in records relating to Nancy Balkcum's birth date. The 1840 census lists Nancy's age then as between 30 and 39, which if accurate means Nancy was born between 1801 and 1810. She could not have been born before 1804, at least with John Balkcom, Hester's husband, as father because John died in 1803, and Nancy was not named as a child of John in his estate papers. So if the 1840 census is correct, Nancy's birth then would have been between 1804 and 1810. Hester in 1810 had no young girls in her household which would suggest that Nancy was born in 1810, after the 1810 census. However, Nancy gave birth to a son, Harman, in around 1822 which seems to rule out the 1810 birth date.

Alternatively, Nancy may have understated her age to the census taker in 1840 and may have been born before Hester's marriage to John Balkcom (uncertain date, but probably 1799 or so). That could explain why there were no girls in Hester's household in the 1810 census since Nancy may have been out of the household and independent by then. This would make her born before 1798, and more likely before 1795 (otherwise she should have appeared in Hester's household in 1810).

I conclude that the latter scenario is most likely and that Nancy was born before 1795, say 1794.3,4

Cen-Head*

1840

Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; "Nancy Balkcom", female age 30-40, with females 2 age 5-10 and 1 age 10-15 (prob daughters Margaret, Eliza, Mary). One person in family employed in agriculture. Also in the household was one slave, a boy under 10, and 1 identified as "Colored Persons - Insane and idiots at public charge", which may have been the young boy.

Hester (?); Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; (see attached deed, poor condition but partly readable)Hester Balkcum sold 130 acres to "Nancy Balkcum her daughter and James Lucien Balkcum her grandson ... in consideration of the love and affection which she holds towards her said daughter Nancy and her [Hester's] grandson James Lucien ... in the ... consideration to her of the sum of one dollar... tract of land lying on the south side of Beaverdam Swamp and joining the lands of Nathan Johnson, heirs of Mathew Prigeon ... ?? Rogers old corner ... along Rogers' old line to the Beaverdam Swamp then along said swamp to the mouth of horse branch then ... to Little Branch ... for Nancy Balkcum to use during her life and on her death [to] James Lucien Balkcum ... Hester Balkcum to have the privilege of living on during her natural life ..."Witnessed by Ruggels? Johnson and Richard? P. Johnson5

(Heir) Will

9 March 1843

Hester (?); Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; Hester Balkcum will dated March 1843, proved May 1843. It names as beneficiaries "my daughter Nancy Balkcum" to receive 30 acres of land on the south side of Beaver Dam Swamp to include the house in which she now lives, "grandson James Lucien Balkcum (son of my daughter Mariah)" to receive the remainder of the land, about 100 acres. It provides miscellaneous household goods to "granddaughter Mary Ellen Johnson, daughter of my daughter Mariah", and token items (a bible each) to grandsons John Balkcum, Harman Balkcum, and Lemuel Balkcum. The executor was "my friend" William L. Robinson; Witnesses were Isaiah S. Robinson and Abner Robinson.1,6,7

Sampson County, North Carolina, USA; (see attached exhibit) Nancy Balkcum dated a will on this date. It names:"my daughter Margaret Balkcum" - bed & furniture ("the bed on which I have usually lain"), wheel & cards, 1 table,sow and pigs, $20, "for her services in waiting on me in my last sickness";"my two daughters Eliza and Mary" - 1 bed & furniture; "my son Harman be paid back all expenses that he may incur in providing for me"Remaining property to be sold to pay debts and funeral expenses, remainder equally divided among children. Exec William L. Robinson, wit Nathan Johnson, Joshua Rackley.9,6Heir: Margaret BalkcumHeir: Harman BalkcumHeir: Mary Eliza BalkcumHeir: Mary Balkcum